Footbag And A System Relating Thereto

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of an exemplary footbag can include a cover enclosing a space, a filler disposed within the space retained by the cover, and an electronic circuit disposed within the space. Generally, the electronic circuit includes an energy source, a processor including a storage unit, which in turn, can include at least one audio file, a sound enunciator, and one or more input/output devices. Desirably, the sound enunciator plays the audio file when initiated by an input/output device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a footbag, and particularly,but not by way of limitation, to a footbag or a system for communicatingaudio files to and/or from a footbag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kicking a bag, such as a bag sold under the trade designation HACKEYSACK™, is a game played by one or more players who keep the bag in theair by using their feet or other portions of their body, but generallynot their hands and arms. The bag may consist of particles enclosed by abag or sack. However, the bag generally lacks any mechanism to producesounds, much less a variety of musical sounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of an exemplary footbag can include a cover enclosing aspace, a filler disposed within the space retained by the cover, and anelectronic circuit disposed within the space. Generally, the electroniccircuit includes an energy source, a processor including a storage unit,which in turn, can include at least one audio file, a sound enunciator,and one or more input/output devices. Desirably, the sound enunciatorplays the audio file when initiated by an input/output device.

Another embodiment can be a system including a footbag as describedabove, and a computer including a central processing unit and a networkconnectivity device wherein the computer has access to the Internet andcommunicates with the footbag.

As described below, a footbag can play one or more different prerecordedsounds after the footbag is struck with a foot or other body part. Thisfeature allows the play of various games or the composition of differenttunes. In addition, a series of sounds created by striking the footbagcan be recorded. Moreover, a system is provided to allow the downloadingof sounds, such as music, into the footbag, or the uploading ofprerecorded sounds from the footbag into a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a footbag ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary support of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a circuitboard of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary footbag communicating via awireless connection with a computer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary footbag connected to acomputer by a universal serial bus connection.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary electronic circuitof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplary support of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary support of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an exemplary system according to thepresent invention.

As used herein, the term “coupling” means connecting or fastening atleast two items directly or indirectly by use of a third component suchas a mechanical fastener, e.g. a screw, a nail, a staple, or a rivet; anadhesive or a solder. The term “coupling” can also include associatingor forming integrally together items either by chemical or mechanicalmeans, by processes including stamping, molding, or welding.Furthermore, the term “coupled” can mean two items, directly orindirectly, joined, fastened, associated, connected, or formedintegrally together.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary footbag 100 can include a cover140, a filler 160, a support 200, and a circuit board 400. Generally,the cover 140 encloses the filler 160 and the support 200 in a space144. The cover 140 can form an opening 148, and may be made from anypliable material, such as cotton or hemp. The cover 140 can be looselystitched to create openings for the transmission of sound. The footbag100 may have a diameter of about 2 inches (about 5 cm)-about 4 inches(about 10 cm). Desirably, the footbag 100 is about 3 inches (about 7.5cm) in diameter.

The filler 160 can include beads or pellets 164. The beads or pellets164 may take a variety of shapes such as spherical or cylindrical. Inone desired embodiment, the beads or pellets 164 may take the form of anannulus 168 that may aid in the transmission of sound, as depicted inFIG. 1. Generally, it is desirable to have the beads or pellets 164constructed from a material that reflects sound. The beads or pellets164 can be made of a polymer, co-polymer, plastic or glass, and caninclude polystyrene, polyurethane, or polyethylene.

The support 200 can house a circuit board 400, and can be made of anysuitable material such as a polymer, co-polymer, plastic or foam.Exemplary materials may include polystyrene or polyethylene. Althoughthe support 200 can take a variety of shapes or sizes, such as a sphereor cube, or can include 2-12 elongated members bisecting each other, onedesirable shape includes a first member 230, a second member 260, and athird member 290. Generally, each member 230, 260, and 290 is ofsubstantially the same dimension and somewhat resembles a prism withrectangular sides and square ends. Generally, the first member 230 andthe second member 260 are perpendicular to each other, desirablybisecting each other, and lie generally in a same plane 280. Desirably,the third member 290 intersects the first member 230 and the secondmember 260 and is perpendicular to the plane 280, and desirably, is inturn bisected by the first and second members 230 and 260. Generally,the first member 230, the second member 260, and the third member 290may intersect each other and can be coupled together using any suitablemeans, such as adhesives or mechanical fasteners, or be formedintegrally together.

In addition, the first member 230, the second member 260, and the thirdmember 290, can each form respective passages 234, 264, and 294. Thepassages 234, 264, 294, extend along the length of respective members230, 260, and 290. At an intersection 300 of these passages 234, 264,and 294, a circuit board 400 can be received within a chamber 320.Generally, the support 200 surrounds the circuit board 400 to provideprotection against jolts and shocks during, e.g., play. In addition, thecircuit board 400 can be secured within the chamber 320 utilizing anysuitable fastening means, such as mechanical fasteners or adhesives.Both ends of each of the members 230, 260, and 290 can be secured to thecover 140 so the support 200 is fixed in the space 144. Alternatively,the support 200 can be unconnected to the cover 140 and tumble in thespace 144 along with the beads and pellets 164 as the footbag 100 isstruck.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the circuit board 400 can include anelectronic circuit 410. Generally, the electronic circuit 410 includesan energy source 420, one or more input/output devices 430, a processor450, a switch 470 and a sound enunciator 480.

Desirably, the energy source 420 is a battery 424, such as a silveroxide button cell. In one embodiment, the battery 424 can have a longlife-time, such as a lithium cell, so as not to require its replacement.Alternatively, the battery 424 can have a shorter life-span and accesscan be provided as hereinafter described for changing the battery 424.

One or more input/output devices 430 can include one or more pressuresensors 434 and a communication port 440. The pressure sensor 434 can bea high impedance electrode whose change in capacitance is measured inthe time domain on the processor 450. The pressure sensors 434 can bepositioned on the ends 268 and 270 of the member 260, and the end 296 ofthe member 290 of the support 200. Desirably, the footbag 100 has 3-6pressure sensors 434 mounted on the support 200. In addition, eachrespective pressure sensor 434 can be connected to the processor 450with a respective wire 530. Wires 530 can also connect the soundenunciator 480 and a button 490, as hereinafter described.

Alternatively, one or more pressure sensors 434 can be replaced with aproximity sensor. Exemplary proximity sensors are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,396,443 and 7,002,550, which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety. Alternatively, the pressure sensors 434 and/orproximity sensors can be distributed within the space 144 and optionallyattached to the insides of the cover 140.

In still another embodiment, the pressure sensors 434 can be used withor replaced with an inertial switch that is incorporated on the circuitboard 400. An exemplary inertial switch is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,779,574, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.The inertial switch can send an activation and/or deactivation signalwhen the footbag 100 is accelerated in a different direction.

Generally, the communication port 440 provides a data transfer interfacefor bi-directional communication between the footbag 100 and an externalhost, such as a personal or laptop computer. As such, the external hostcan issue commands via the communication port 440 to the processor 450,such as deleting, writing, creating, reading, uploading, saving andupdating files. The communication port 440 can include a data transferinterface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port 590 or a deviceutilizing an IEEE 1394 standard that supports data transfer rates of upto, e.g., 800 megabytes per second. Alternatively, the communicationport 440 can include a wireless data transfer interface implemented withdevices having a BLUE TOOTH TECHNOLOGY standard, which is promoted bythe Blue Tooth special interest group of Bellevue, Wash., or a deviceutilizing an IEEE 802.11 standard, such as products tested and approvedas WI-FI CERTIFIED® promulgated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Such a wirelessdata transfer can utilize any frequency in the electromagnetic radiationspectrum. Exemplary frequencies include radio waves, optical lightwaves, infrared radiation, and microwaves.

Referring to FIG. 4, a footbag 100 including a wireless interface canprovide a wireless connection 1000 between the footbag 100 and acomputer 900 for the transfer of information. As depicted in thisexemplary embodiment, the footbag 100 can omit a USB port 590.

Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the USB port 590 can beprovided that provides a link between the footbag 100 and a computer900. The USB port 590 can be mounted at one of the ends 238, 240, 268,270, 296, or 298 of one of the members 230, 260, and 290. As depicted inFIG. 1, the cover 140 can form the opening 148 at the USB port 590 forreceiving a cable 600 to create a USB connection 1100 for transferringinformation between the computer 900 and footbag 100. In an alternativeembodiment, the cover 140 can omit an opening 148 and instead a zipper152 provides access to the USB port 590 and the space 144. In addition,a removable panel (not shown) can be provided in a side of the support200 to provide access to the battery 424 on the board 400. In eitherembodiment, the connection 1100 to the computer 900 permits thedownloading of information into the footbag 100, such as audio files.

The footbag 100 can also include a recording functionality that may beactivated and deactivated by a button 490 positioned near the cover 140.Alternatively, a button communicating with the processor 450 can beprovided on the support 200 that can be accessed by unzipping the cover140. In another exemplary embodiment, the recording function can beactivated and deactivated by an external host communicating with theprocessor 450. Particularly, as different sounds are initiated bystriking the footbag 100, these digital files can be saved in thesequence and timing as emitted on the sound enunciator in a differentsector of the storage unit 458 to create a composition that can betransferred to a computer, as hereinafter described.

The processor 450 can communicate with the one or more input/outputdevices 430, receive power from the energy source 420, and include oneor more counters 454 and a storage unit 458. The one or more counters454 can close the switch 470 after a predetermined amount of time. Thestorage unit 458 can be an electronic storage medium for storinginformation, such as audio files 460, which can be digital or analogfiles. Desirably, the file is a digital audio file 460, which in oneexemplary embodiment is an MP-3 file. The storage unit 458 can be a harddisk, a non-volatile storage device, or other type of storage medium.The power may be provided by a battery 424 as described above. In oneexemplary embodiment, the processor 450 receives input from the pressuresensor 434, and after a predetermined period of time, the processor 450outputs a signal to the sound enunciator 480. The processor 450 can beany suitable processor known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Anexemplary processor 450 is the PENTIUM microprocessor from IntelCorporation of Santa Clara, Calif. Optionally, the processor 450 caninclude a radio receiver to play songs received from a radio receiversuch as XM satellite radio.

The switch 470 can permit signals to activate the sound enunciator 480.The switch 470 can be any suitable switch known to those of skill in theart, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,011, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Generally, the switch 470 isan open position unless closed to permit the playing of sounds from thesound enunciator 480.

The sound enunciator 480 can broadcast sounds, such as music, from thefootbag 100. The sound enunciator 480 can be positioned within the space144, such as on or in the support 200. In one exemplary embodiment, thesound enunciator 480 can be positioned at the end 298 of the member 290,as depicted in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the sound enunciator 480 can bepositioned in a passage 234, 264, or 294 near a respective end 238, 240,268, 270, 296, or 298 or on the circuit board 400. Although one soundenunciator 480 is depicted, the footbag 100 can include a plurality ofsound enunciators 480. The sound enunciator 480 can be any suitablespeaker known to those of skill in the art. An exemplary soundenunciator 480 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,011, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the support 200 can include three pressuresensors 434, the USB port 590, the button 490, and the sound enunciator480 positioned at the ends 238, 240, 268, 270, 296, and 298 of themembers 230, 260, and 290. However, it should be understood that, inanother exemplary embodiment, six pressure sensors and/or proximitysensors can be positioned at each end of the members 230, 260, and 290with a footbag 100, e.g., having the wireless data transfer interfaceinstead of the USB port 590; the sound enunciator 480 within a passage234, 264, or 294 near the end 238, 240, 268, 270, 296 or 298, or on thecircuit board 400; and no button 490 to activate and deactivate therecording function.

Although the electronic circuit 410 has been disclosed, it should beunderstood that other circuits could be used. Exemplary circuit boards400 and/or electronic circuits 410 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,066,011; 5,779,574; 5,954,603; 6,497,607; and 6,959,166; all of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Referring to FIG. 7, another desirable support 700 housed within thecover of a footbag is depicted. The support 700 can have a first member702, a second member 704, and a third member 706, where each member 702,704 and 706 is shaped as a prism with rectangular sides and square ends,and bisect each other. Generally, the members 702, 704, and 706 can becoupled together using any suitable means, such as adhesives ormechanical fasteners, or may be formed integrally together. Desirably,one or more wedges 710 are positioned between two of the members 702 and704, 702 and 706, and 704 and 706. These wedges 710, desirably made offoam, can provide additional support to the members 702, 704, and 706when the footbag is struck. Desirably, one or more, preferably eight,sound enunciators 730 are positioned between wedges 710. The wedges 710and sound enunciators 730 can be fastened to the members 702, 704 and706 using any suitable means, such as adhesives or mechanical fasteners,or may be formed integrally together. A pressure sensor or proximityswitch 720 can be positioned at the ends of the members 702, 704 and706, and fastened thereto using any suitable means, such as adhesives ormechanical fasteners, or formed integrally together.

Referring to FIG. 8, yet another desirable support 750 housed within thecover of a footbag is depicted. The support 750 can be generallyspherical in shape and include a disc 760, desirably made of foam. Thedisc 760 can form a recess to house the circuit board 400, as discussedabove. One or more, desirably six, pressure sensors and/or proximityswitches 764 can be coupled, desirably equally spaced, around thecircumference of the disc 760. In addition, one or more, desirably one,pressure sensor and/or proximity switch 768 maybe positioned at eachpole 780 (only one switch 768 is depicted in FIG. 8). Between the disc760 and the poles 780, one or more, desirably two, sound enunciators 790may be provided.

An exemplary system of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 9. Thesystem 800 can include a computer 900, the Internet 960, a web site 980,and a website host computer 990. Generally, each computer 900 and 990includes a central processing unit 920, a network connectivity device940, a secondary storage, a read-only memory (ROM), a random accessmemory (RAM), and other input/output (I/O) devices. The centralprocessing unit 920 may be implemented as one or more central processingchips. Typically, the computer 900 or 990 can be a personal computer ora laptop computer based on the PENTIUM microprocessor from INTELCORPORATION of Santa Clara, Calif. Communication of the computers 900and 990 can be effected by a parallel port, a USB port, or any knowncommunications board. The computers 900 and 990 are typically powered bya power supply which may be fed by an AC power source. Optionally, thecomputer 900 can also include an antenna for communicating with thefootbag 100. As hereinafter described, songs may be downloaded from thewebsite 980, or created by striking a footbag 100 communicated to thewebsite 980. This allows different versions and games to be implemented.

The footbag 100 can be activated to play different musical sounds orsongs depending on the number and timing of hits by, e.g., one or morekicks by a player. Thus, musical songs can be played and created usingthe footbag 100. If songs are created from musical sounds, these songscan optionally be saved on the storage unit 458. In the exemplaryembodiment as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a button 490 can be provided andactivated by depressing the cover 140. Pressing the button 490 canactivate and deactivate the recording of sounds played by hitting thefootbag 100. Moreover, communicating with the footbag 100 by a computer900 can download audio files and permit changing of sounds produced bythe footbag 100 when struck. In another alternative embodiment, thefootbag 100 can have a single set of songs or musical sounds in itsstorage unit 458. Different song sets or musical sounds can be providedby buying a separate footbag 100.

If music is created on a footbag 100, the music can be saved on thestorage unit 458 by pressing the button 490 and then uploading on thecomputer 900 and transmitting to the website 980. As such, the website980 can serve as a portal for a contest. Particularly, footbag ownerscan create their own songs and load them to the website 980. The songscan be played by persons accessing the website 980, and they can votefor their favorite song and a winner can be selected. Similarly, musiccan be downloaded from the website 980, for free or for a fee, to thecomputer 900 and subsequently transmitted to the footbag 100 by thewireless connection 1000 or USB connection 1100. Exemplary sound setscan include dog barks, car horns, bell rings, and cat meows. Furtherimplementations can include downloading music from the website 980 ontothe computer 900, and then onto the footbag 100. Software can beprovided on the computer 900 to program what sounds or music are playeddepending on the number and types of hits. In other words, the computer900 can be used to program the footbag 100 via the wireless connection1000 or USB connection 1100 to play certain sounds based on the timingand frequency of hits.

In one exemplary embodiment, the footbag 100 can have a library ofdifferent sounds stored in the storage unit 458. When the footbag 100 isstruck, the pressure sensors 434 can detect impacts as contacts are madefrom kicking, kneeing, head-butting, slapping, hitting, or hacking thesack. Afterwards, the counter 454, which is connected to the soundenunciator 480, can be activated. When the footbag 100 is struck again,the counter stops and the switch 470 is closed to permit the playing ofan audio file stored in the storage unit 458 by the sound enunciator480. The number and timing of hits can determine the sound produced bythe footbag 100.

As an example, the following depicts different sounds that can beproduced depending on the timing and number of hits:

TABLE 1 Timing of Hits Type of Hits (seconds) Sound Made SingleHit >3–<5 One Guitar D Flat Note Double Hit <3 Drum Beat Quick DoubleHit <1.5 Symbol Clash Triple Hit <3 Three Guitar B Flat Notes QuickTriple Hit <1.5 Drum Roll

During operation, an initial hit to the footbag 100 can activate one ofthe pressure sensors 434, which sends a signal to the processor 450 toactivate the counter 450. The processor 450 can include a routine totrack predetermined time intervals of, e.g., 1.5 and 3 seconds based onthe counter 450 and the number of hits made during those time intervals.As an example, if no subsequent hit is registered after 5 seconds, thecounter 454 can reset. On the other hand, if after three seconds onlyone subsequent hit is registered, the switch 470 can close and the soundenunciator 480 can emit, “One Guitar D Flat Note”. Afterwards, theswitch 470 opens. Furthermore if, e.g., two subsequent hits are madeafter the initial hit and within three seconds, the switch can close andthe sound enunciator 480 can broadcast a “Drum Beat”. After the “DrumBeat”, the switch can open and the counter 454 reset. In anotherembodiment, additional counters 454 can be provided to implementdifferent routines of playing sounds as the footbag 100 is struck.

Different sounds can be used to create any number of beat combinationsfor different games. As an example, alone or with a group, a set ofbeats can be hit or hacked creating an original tune or broadcasting apre-existing song saved in the storage unit 458.

Exemplary games are depicted in the table below:

TABLE 2 Name of Game Objective Copy One goal is mimicking the playerbefore you. If a group of Cat people are hitting the footbag 100, thenext person can copy the tune or melody. Alternatively, the next personcan add their own musical set of beats. Make A set of sounds can lendthemselves to particular songs or a Song types of music. As an example,different recorded sounds can be stored in the storage unit 458. Thiscan include beat box mouth noises; harpsichord keys, such as Mozartclassical; old school rap; Grateful Dead instruments, such as hippiefree flowing jam; country, such as bluegrass pipe picking; and brasshorns, such as jazz. The listing is merely exemplary but others could beutilized as well. These can be implemented on the storage unit 458 bystoring different musical melodies and making a selection randomly orpre-programmed on the computer. Alternatively, different footbags 100could be sold having each one of these sets of music. Keep Another gamecan be not letting the footbag 100 hit the the Beat ground. The playersare in a group, and if the footbag 100 is left alone for more than,e.g., 5 or 10 seconds, after a beat set has begun, the set is broken andthe person who missed the footbag 100 is out. Hot A musical beat isplayed. After an unknown time the beat Potato ends. Whoever is incontrol of the footbag 100 is the loser and out of the game. The gamecan be preprogrammed into the processor 450 in one exemplary version ofthe footbag 100.

In yet another embodiment of the footbag 100, an orchestra can beconducted. Each member of a group can have a footbag 100 that playsdifferent instruments. Thus, the group can create their own music.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan, using the proceeding description, utilize the present invention toits fullest extent. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts andpercentages are by weight. The entire disclosure of all citedapplications, patents and publications is hereby incorporated byreference.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

1. A footbag, comprising: a cover enclosing a space; a filler disposedwithin the space retained by the cover; and an electronic circuitdisposed within the space, wherein the electronic circuit comprises anenergy source, a processor comprising a storage unit, which in turncomprises at least one audio file, a sound enunciator, and one or moreinput/output devices; wherein the sound enunciator plays the audio filewhen initiated by an input/output device.
 2. A footbag according toclaim 1, further comprising a support for housing the electroniccircuit.
 3. A footbag according to claim 2, wherein the supportcomprises: a first member coupled to a second member wherein the firstmember is orientated substantially perpendicular to the second memberand the first and second members lie generally in a same plane; and athird member coupled to the first and second members and orientedsubstantially perpendicular with the plane of the first and secondmembers.
 4. A footbag according to claim 3, wherein each member forms ahollow passage along the length of the respective member, and at anintersection of the three members forms a chamber; wherein the processoris received within the chamber.
 5. A footbag according to claim 4,wherein the one or more input/output devices comprises a pressure sensorat an end of the first member.
 6. A footbag according to claim 4,wherein the sound enunciator is at an end of the first member.
 7. Afootbag according to claim 1, wherein the filler comprises beads orpellets.
 8. A footbag according to claim 7, wherein each bead or pelletforms an annulus.
 9. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the fillercomprises polyethylene.
 10. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic circuit further comprises a communication port.
 11. A footbagaccording to claim 10, wherein the communication port comprises auniversal serial bus port positioned at the end of the first member thatis coupled to the cover, and the cover forms an opening at the universalserial bus port, or a wireless data transfer interface.
 12. A system,comprising: the footbag according to claim 1; and a computer comprisinga central processing unit and a network connectivity device wherein thecomputer has access to the Internet and communicates with the footbag.13. A system according to claim 12, further comprising a wirelessconnection between the footbag and the computer.
 14. A system accordingto claim 12, further comprising a universal serial bus connectionbetween the footbag and the computer.
 15. A system according to claim12, further comprising an Internet website with at least one audio filetransferable to or from the footbag via a computer.
 16. A systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the storage unit stores one or more audiofiles.
 17. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the storage unitstores one or more audio files.
 18. A footbag according to claim 1,further comprising a zipper to permit opening of the cover.
 19. Afootbag according to claim 1, wherein the audio file comprises a digitalaudio file.
 20. A footbag according to claim 1, further comprising agenerally spherical support for housing the electronic circuit.